The Ports came up against top of the table Cliftonville this afternoon, with most Ports fans fearing the worst following a string of poor results over recent weeks.  However, despite being without influential playmaker Neil McCafferty, the Ports more than held their own against a slick home side in the first half and were unlucky to go in 1 down at the break through a deflected free kick from Lynch scored after 30 mins.  Apart from that effort, Ports keeper David Miskelly had a relatively quiet opening half.  The Ports created a number of scoring opportunities including a point blank effort from Burns which was well saved by Devlin in the home goals. 

Things soon went from bad to worse in the second half as Cliftonville doubled their lead in the 53rd minute through Boyce who had all the time in the world to pick his spot and hammer the ball past Miskelly from inside the 6 yard box.  The Ports hit back through sub Darren Murray who out-muscled the home defence to hammer an unstoppable volley past Devlin.  As the Ports pressed forward looking for the equaliser, they were caught napping at the back once again as lanky forward Joe Gormley turned his marker to fire past Miskelly from close range.   The Ports then conceded a penalty when Casement was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area, however David Miskelly made a superb stop, diving full length to keep out Caldwell’s spot kick. 

Miskelly’s heroics seemed to spark the Ports into action and Gartland pulled another goal back with a deft header which left Devlin stranded.  In the dying minutes the Ports lost Sean Mackle after 2 yellow cards for desent as the home side ran down the clock. 

Overall a better display from the Ports, but the defensive errors once again proved the difference between winning and losing.

Portadown Team:

Miskelly

Burns-Gartland-Casement-Redman

Mackle-O’Hara-McNeill-

Burns -Braniff-Tomelty

Subs: McArdle, Patton, Ramsey, Lecky, Murray